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  Media multi-feed rejection process with an encoded counter-rotating rollerUSPTO Application #: 20070247509Title: Media multi-feed rejection process with an encoded counter-rotating roller Abstract: This invention relates to a media multi-feed rejection apparatus, comprising: a plurality of feed rollers; a feed roller driving means operatively connected to one of the plurality of feed rollers; a clutch means operatively connected to the other of the plurality of feed rollers; and a single channel encoder means operatively connected to the clutch means to measure a rotation of the other of the plurality of feed rollers. (end of abstract) Agent: Hewlett Packard Company - Fort Collins, CO, US Inventors: Gary L. Miller, Ed Tucker, Jon R. Johnson USPTO Applicaton #: 20070247509 - Class: 347104000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070247509. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to a media multi-feed rejection apparatus, comprising: a plurality of feed rollers; a feed roller driving means operatively connected to one of the plurality of feed rollers; a clutch means operatively connected to the other of the plurality of feed rollers; and a single channel encoder means operatively connected to the clutch means to measure a rotation of the other of the plurality of feed rollers. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Double feeding of media is not desirable because the printing mechanism will assume that the at least two sheets of media are one sheet of media and print the image across both sheets of media. Also, the double feeding of media may create a media jam in the media handling mechanism. Prior to the present invention, as set forth in general terms above and more specifically below, it is known, in the media handling art to employ a variety of techniques to prevent double feeding of media. Such techniques include various sensors along the media handling path that are used to detect double feeding of media. Also, various mechanisms are utilized to interact with the media in order to prevent double feeding of media. While such systems have met with a modicum of success, none of these systems employ an encoder that monitors the rotation of a counter-rotating roller during the multi-feed rejection process in order to determine the shortest time required to eliminate all excess sheets. Consequently, a more advantageous media double feeding elimination system, then, would be provided if an encoder that monitors the rotation of a counter-rotating roller during the multi-feed rejection process is utilized to determine the shortest time required to eliminate all excess sheets. [0005] It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a velocity mode encoder that is used to determine the optimum time to stop a multi-feed rejection process on a counter-rotating roller feed system. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Generally speaking, an embodiment of this invention fulfills these needs by providing a media multi-feed rejection apparatus, comprising: a plurality of feed rollers; a feed roller driving means operatively connected to one of the plurality of feed rollers; a clutch means operatively connected to the other of the plurality of feed rollers; and a single channel encoder means operatively connected to the clutch means to measure a rotation of the other of the plurality of feed rollers. [0007] In certain preferred embodiments, one of the plurality of feed rollers is comprised of a counter-rotating tire. Also, the feed roller driving means is further comprised of a motor. Also, the clutch means is further comprised of slip torque clutch. Also, the clutch means is operatively connected to the feed roller driving means. Finally, the single channel encoder means is further comprised of a velocity mode only encoder. [0008] In another further preferred embodiment, a single channel encoder is used to determine the optimum time to stop a multi-feed rejection process on a counter-rotating roller feed system by monitoring the rotation of a counter-rotating roller during the multi-feed rejection process to determine the shortest time required to eliminate all excess sheets. [0009] The preferred media multi-feed rejection apparatus, according to various embodiments of the present invention, offers the following advantages: ease-of-use; reduced power consumption; reduced power dissipation; reduced noise; reduced mechanical wear; decreased likelihood of media multi-feed; and reduced time to determine the shortest time required to eliminate all excess sheets. In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, these factors of reduced power consumption, reduced power dissipation, reduced noise, reduced mechanical wear, decreased likelihood of media multi-feed, and reduced time to determine the shortest time required to eliminate all excess sheets are optimized to an extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known media multi-feed rejection systems. [0010] The above and other features of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an optimized multi-feed rejection apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the optimized multi-feed rejection apparatus with the encoded counter-rotating roller, according to another embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 3 is another schematic illustration of the optimized multi-feed rejection apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the optimized multi-feed rejection apparatus, wherein a media multi-feed is prevented, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and [0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the optimized multi-feed rejection apparatus, wherein a media multi-feed is not present, according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] With reference first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one preferred embodiment for use of the concepts of this invention. As shown in FIG. 1, media multi-feed rejection apparatus 2 is illustrated. Apparatus 2 includes, in part, upper feed roller 4, lower feed roller 6, upper feed roller drive shaft 8, upper feed roller drive gear 10, lower drive gear 12, lower drive shaft 14, drive motor 16, and lower feed roller drive gears 18, 20. Lower feed roller 6, preferably, is any suitable counter-rotating feed roller. Drive motor 16, preferably, is any suitable motor that is capable of rotating the various elements of apparatus 2. [0017] With respect to FIG. 1, drive motor 16 is operatively connected to lower drive shaft 14. Lower drive shaft 14 is operatively connected to lower drive gear 12. Lower drive gear 12 is operatively connected to upper feed roller drive gear 10. Upper feed roller drive gear 10 rotates to cause upper feed roller drive shaft 8 and upper feed roller 4 to rotate. Also,. lower drive gear 12 is operatively connected to lower feed roller drive gears 18, 20 to cause lower feed roller 6 to rotate, as will be described below. It is to be understood that upper feed roller 4 and lower feed roller 6 are located with respect to each other so as to feed a sheet of media 100 (FIG. 4) from the media stack towards the printing mechanism (not shown). [0018] With respect to FIG. 2, apparatus 2 further includes drive gear 50, drive gear 52, drive shaft 53, conventional slip torque clutch 54, drive shaft 55, single channel encoder 56, lower feed roller drive shaft 58, and lower feed roller drive shaft bracket 60. Slip torque clutch 54, preferably, is any suitable clutch that allows lower feed roller 6 to counter-rotate and prevent lower feed roller 6 from rotating in the opposite direction. Also, single channel encoder 56, preferably, is any suitable velocity mode only encoder that is capable of reading any component directly coupled to lower feed roller 6, such as gear teeth or a film or shutter wheel encoder disk. [0019] As shown in FIG. 2, lower drive gear 12 (FIG. 1) is operatively connected to lower feed roller drive gears 18, 20. Drive gear 50 is rotationally connected to lower feed roller drive 18. Drive gear 50 interacts with drive gear 52. Drive gear 52 is rotationally connected to drive shaft 53. Drive shaft 53 interacts with conventional slip torque clutch 54. Conventional slip torque clutch 54 interacts with drive shaft 55. Drive shaft 55 is rotationally connected to single channel encoder 56. Lower feed roller drive gear 18 is operatively connected to lower feed roller drive gear 20. Lower feed roller drive gear 20 is rotationally connected to lower feed roller drive shaft 58. Lower feed roller drive shaft 58 is retained in place by lower feed roller drive shaft bracket 60. Finally, lower feed roller drive shaft 58 is operatively connected to lower feed roller 6. [0020] With respect to FIGS. 3-5, the spaced relationship (nip) between upper feed roller 4 and lower feed roller 6 are more clearly illustrated and will be discussed in more detail below. Continue reading... Full patent description for Media multi-feed rejection process with an encoded counter-rotating roller Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Media multi-feed rejection process with an encoded counter-rotating roller patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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